5 replies to this topic

[ArmyAntz]

I've heard before that its impossible to get a captive colony (raised from a queen) to the maximum potential number of workers they can grow to in the wild. 

 

By providing the required space, protein, etc. would it be possible or not?

[Skwiggledork]

I thought the opposite. Captive colonies tend to get larger due to plentiful food and lack of predators/competition.

[RushmoreAnts]

I've heard before that its impossible to get a captive colony (raised from a queen) to the maximum potential number of workers they can grow to in the wild. 
 
By providing the required space, protein, etc. would it be possible or not?

Lasius niger colonies don’t grow past 10,000 in the wild, yet in captivity, they have grown past 40,000.

[ArmyAntz]

Interesting, I was always led to believe they got bigger in the wild but that does make sense.

[FeedTheAnts]

It's certainly possible. I can think of two examples of mature colonies journaled on this forum that are near or at full size. Serafine's Camponotus barbaricus and my Crematogaster ashmeadi. With most Camponotus species there seems to be no set number that anyone agrees on as being the "max colony size", but Serafine's colony is massive and still growing. He could probably go more in depth as to whether or not the his colony is anywhere near the numbers observed in the wild though. Most sources agree that Crematogaster cerasi colonies rarely if ever exceed 10000, and it is generally accepted (but not actually proven) that C. ashmeadi (as well as lineolata) do not get quite that big. My 4th year Crematogaster ashmeadi colony is anywhere between 5-6K workers (this really is a conservative estimate). I think Crematogaster tend to do well in captivity, and others on the forum (AntDrew and antdude_2908) have rapidly growing colonies as well. All in all, I think it will depend on the species.

[ANTdrew]

It’s definitely possible with good care. As FTA said, my Crematogaster cerasi has at least 2,000 workers now, and they’re not slowing down at all. My Tetramorium mega colony has queen larvae this season as well. I have their set up outside now as I have no interest in having a nuptial flight in my kitchen this June.